《Waratar》 Confrontation with Husband Spending too much time gaming. Food on stove, has to only stir the sauce. Gives her a Dilligaf. Scene ends with her putting kids to bed, husband storming out to a 24 hour gaming arcade. She reboots the system and discovers messages with online buddy. ¡®Julian, can you please go and stir the sauce?¡¯ Natasha yells down the basement stairs at Julian. Heading up the stairs she smiles, remembering herself as a little girl, when her father came back from his tours in Iraq. He use to chase her up these sames stairs, into the room her two kids share and tickle till she was breathless from laughing so hard. Smiling, Natasha enters her childhood room amidst flying teddy bears and two giggling toddlers. ¡®What is my two munchkins doing in here?¡¯ Natasha says grabbing her two year old son into a hug. ¡®Patrick, can you say how old you are?¡¯ Squirming in her arms Patrick turns around showing two fingers. ¡®Yes my little tiger, you are two years old. How old is you sister?¡¯ Natasha winks at Kenna, who has been helping her brother with his counting like a good big sister. Patrick proudly holds up 4 fingers before blurting out, ¡®One, Momma!¡¯ Ruffling his hair Natasha says, ¡®Ok kiddos, time to bath, after we can eat spaghetti worms, the ones you love with the cheese sauce.¡¯ With Patrick wrapped in his fluffy yellow Minions robe and Kenna in her pink Sophia robe Natasha frowns as she heads down the stairs. ¡®Julian! Where are you? I can smell something burning!¡¯ Putting the kids in the living room playpen, Natasha rushes to the kitchen. Coughing at the burnt-milk clouds of smoke billowing from the stove, Natasha quickly covers the pot with its lid. Balancing speed with keeping the pot from spilling its fiery contents she kicks open the back swing door. Placing the pot on the pavement Natasha is thankful the only damage was done to their food. As the implications of what could have happened sinks in Natasha clenches her dress in a white knuckled grip. ¡®Julian!¡¯ she shouts, storming back into the smoke filled kitchen. Barely stopping to open all the windows in the kitchen and entryway, Natasha stomps down the basement stairs. Descending the trap door Natasha reflects for the thousandth time on why she ever agreed to making the basement Julian¡¯s man-cave. Now it has become the only part of the house he occupies for longer than a meal. ¡®Julian! For the last time answer me! I know you can hear me!¡¯ Natasha shouts as her husband gives her a flat ignore, or Dilligaf (does-it-look-like-I-give-a-fuck) as her dad used to say. With blood rushing to her face as she stares dagger at her her husband sitting in the neuron-chair playing some or other game her eye catches the feedback screen behind the chair. The seems to be rapidly scrolling words flashing down the screen. With sudden concern replacing a portion of her rage she kneels by the back of the chair. Swiveling the screen fully open Natasha sees it is a rolling chat log. Julian¡¯s username is Julianator666. And he is chatting with Cheekygirl96. Choking back a sob Natasha is horrified at the evidence of a failed marriage in front of her. Julian is actually having sex with this online woman. With the Neuron-chair inducing all feelings and sensations directly in his brain there is nothing to give away the affair. Flinging the screen closed with a sharp snap she stumbles to the stairs, her thoughts centered around her kids and their father who couldn¡¯t be bothered. All he had to do was stir the sauce, but all he did was stir some slut¡¯s sauce. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.¡®You ok momma?¡¯ Kenna asks as she sees her mother¡¯s stricken face climbing the basement stairs. Smiling through the betrayal Natasha kneels between Kenna and Patrick. ¡®Yes my love, mommy is ok, just not in the mood for pasta anymore. Let¡¯s go buy some cheesy fries, the ones you like so much?¡¯ Jumping up and down Kenna¡¯s excitement has her brother also giggling for no reason he understands. ¡®Eesy eys, eesy eys eesy eys!¡¯ chants Kenna as the soon to be smaller family climbs into their rusty station wagon. With the striking of her father¡¯s old grandfather clock Natasha quietly sneaks out between Kenna and Patrick. The two siblings share a queen sized bed since they get night terrors when sleeping alone. Finding her husband fuming in the kitchen she heads to open the fridge, making sure to not touch him as she plods past. ¡®What the fuck happened with the food?! I am hun-¡® Slamming the fridge door Natasha spins around. ¡®You happened with the food! You were supposed to help, all you had to do was stir the sauce!¡¯ Natasha snarls at Julian. ¡®I was busy with a mission, you cannot -¡® ¡®Cannot what, Julian? Expect you to stay faithful?¡¯ Natasha says heaving to get air past the emotion in her throat. ¡®You were supposed to just stir the sauce, not have virtual sex with some tramp! How could you?? What about our kids? Did you not think of them?¡¯ Natasha says, her voice breaking into sobs, catching on the emotion in her throat. With reddening cheeks Julian is shocked into silence by the sight of his wife blubbering as she sinks onto one of the kitchen chairs. ¡®I¡­ it was only¡­ You were never willing to¡­¡¯ Stumbling through the cliches Julian realizes there are no words, no justification for his actions. Grabbing his keys he heads for the door. ¡®I have to complete¡­ the mission, you understand? We cannot afford¡­¡¯ Seeing Natasha¡¯s vacant stare Julian flees out the door. Fight with Husband Hugging her kids goodbye Natasha holds her mother for an extra long time. As her mother steps back Natasha smiles, The bags under her eyes disappearing for a second with the comfort radiant in her mothers face.¡®You kids be good now, you hear? Mommy will see you after two weeks. Enjoy the time with Grandma and Grandpa. Be good!¡¯ Rushing around the car one final time Natasha kisses her squirming kids as her parents climb in. Waving as her life rolls down the street on 4 wheels with her four favorite people in the world her shoulders slump. A silent tear crawls over her cheek, hiding the pain she hopes to spare her kids. Driving up to her modest red brick house Natasha sees her husband is home. The family car is in the driveway, parked diagonally across the whole driveway. +¡ÁSighing she parks in the street. Closing her eyes she mentally steels herself for what is to come. Opening her door she squares her shoulders. Walking to the door she enters her first field of battle. As the door clicks closed behind her she hears Julian banging cupboard doors in the kitchen. Standing in the doorway of the kitchen she sees Julian frantically going through the grocery cupboard.¡®What are you looking for Julian?¡¯ Natasha says working hard to keep her expression neutral. Swinging around Julian fumbles an old can of coffee that he took from the cupboard.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. Sighing she parks in the street. Closing her eyes she mentally steels herself for what is to come. Opening her door she squares her shoulders. Walking to the door she enters her first field of battle. As the door clicks closed behind her she hears Julian banging cupboard doors in the kitchen. Standing in the doorway of the kitchen she sees Julian frantically going through the grocery cupboard.¡®What are you looking for Julian?¡¯ Natasha says working hard to keep her expression neutral. Swinging around Julian fumbles an old can of coffee that he took from the cupboard. ¡®Nothing, nothing. I just¡­ came for some clothes until you come to your senses.¡¯ Julian says, sneering at the end. For a moment Natasha feels her vision darken before becoming a red tinted haze. ¡®You dare! You dare tell me I need to get to my senses while you were out fucking some online skank!¡¯ Natasha says balling her fists as her voices raises an octave with every word. ¡®Come now Natasha, you don¡¯t know what-¡® Julian says trying to play the innocent card. ¡®Get out! Take your stuff and go! I am done with you! You broke our home Julian, all for some cheap thrills.¡¯ As Julian tries to get another word in Natasha throws her wedding ring at Julian. Shocked by her actions Julian is stupefied as the ring bounces from his cheek. As Julian leaves Natasha sinks to the floor, crying for the love she lost, heartbroken that her love could give her up so easily. Counceling Session Putting down the phone Natasha can only sigh. Two days ago her heart broke because her husband couldn¡¯t stay faithful to her, even while she has been a devoted and loving wife. And today her attorney tells her she has to attend mandatory counseling before the court will hear her case for divorce. Her attorney set up the initial meeting for this morning and it went well, for the most part. Julian claimed she didn¡¯t take care of his needs enough, with her stating he only climbs into bed at 2 in the morning after having gamed the whole night. The couples portion of the session devolved from there. Luckily stopping just before an outright shouting match asher hurt had turned into anger. The separate sessions was a lot better with Natasha giving voice to her feelings of betrayal and abandonment. Natasha walked out with a sense of peace, having said what needed to be said. Now this call. Seems the counselor has sent her and Julian an email already with recommendation for the next 30 days. Going downstairs to her husband¡¯s gaming room she tries to operate the keyboard at the back to get into her emails, but since he is still logged in she isn¡¯t getting anywhere. Giving up in frustration she thinks,¡¯ Screw it, he isn¡¯t coming back no matter what he tells the counselor or court, I am resetting this machine.¡¯ Going ahead she flips the lid covering a little red button conveniently labeled ¡®Hard Reset¡¯. As the machine shuts down for the reset Natasha picks up the never used manual still in it¡¯s original sealed plastic bag hanging from the bottom of the system. Tearing the package Natasha start reading, immediately realising the machine is called a Pod and not a machine. The Pod allows her to have her own virtual space, where she can check her emails and even work from apparently. Finding the instructions relatively simple Natasha climbs onto the seat provided and places the neural-link necklace and the Sensory Immersion helmet over her head. A sudden bout of claustrophobia hits her but is replaced by wonder as the is suddenly sitting on a couch in a white 20 by 20 meter big room. Working through the menu Natasha adds in a simple AI (better known as an Artificial Intelligence) that would help her in setting up her work room and also be her virtual, personal assistant. Deciding on a bit of change she instructs her AI to call her Tasha, as her father always did. She also names her AI Warrick after her fathers seldom used middle name. Fully set up Natasha asks Warrick to read her email to her form her counselor. ¡®Tasha, I have summarised the contents of the 12 page email into the relevant points, I can read the full email should you wish?¡¯ Warrick says in the voice John Erwin from her favorite series as a child, He-Man. ¡®No, please only give me the summary please, I have no time for all the legalese.¡¯ Tasha replies thinking she will have enough legal phrases and latin inserts for the rest of her lifetime long before this mess with Julian is sorted out.¡®The main requirements as set forth by Tracy the counselor is as follows; Julian must continue paying the current monthly bills which must stay within 10% of the last years average;He is not allowed any contact with the children till their return at the end of the spring break;He is also not allowed to visit the house for the same duration.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. ¡®That sounds great! Was not looking forward to seeing him again anytime soon.¡¯ Natasha says as her shoulders relax for the first time in days. Having an atmosphere in her home, having to constantly watch out for Julian pitching up would not have been her idea of fun. ¡®There are also the things you need to adhere to Tasha.¡¯ Warrick interrupts her train of thought. With a sigh Tasha says, ¡®Fine, fine. What do I need to do?¡¯ Warrick continues as if there was no interruption, ¡®You are required to maintain the house in it¡¯s current state should you reconcile with Julian and -¡®.¡®Fat chance of that, that asshole can go and ¡°reconcile¡± with his skank.¡¯ Tasha spits out, eyes blazing at the thought of Julian in her home again.¡®Further,¡¯ Warrick continues ignoring Tasha¡¯s outburst, ¡®you are required to play for 5 hours daily on the Pod. There is a note here that says this was requested by Julian specifically, mentioning something about you understanding him better. Before you have another emotional reaction, please note the counselor was adamant this be done, starting today.¡¯ Having a fierce internal discussion with herself Tasha agrees to the demand. ¡®What game Warrick?¡¯Warrick is silent for a full 10 seconds before saying, ¡®Based on the information at my disposal I recommend ¡°Waratar¡±. The game was also the one your husband was playing and it allows for venting of any aggression on your part. Setting is a war zone with specified missions, you will be handling guns which given your time on the range with your father should not be a problem. Also, you can convert credits earned in game to actual money at a exchange rate of 50:1 which given the nature of the game should be able to safely take care of your own expenses as well as your children.¡¯ +¡ÁSitting down on her virtual couch, one of those comfy ones where you get swollowed by the soft snuggly cushions. Thinking it over Natasha agrees with Warricks assessment on what she would enjoy. She played computer games in the distant past but gave it up when it became uncool for girls to play computer games in high school. She always liked the stealth characters that could also dish out some proper hurt up close.¡®Just a side note from the game manual Tasha, the realism is intense and ¡°as good as being there¡±.¡¯ Warricks voice floats again from the white walls.Thinking back at conversations with her father Natasha recalls one spesifically. It was after her Dad saw her playing a game where she was fighting in World War II. She only realised he was standing behind her when she completed the mission and he clapped hands, almost happier than she was for completing the mission. He looked down at her with a twinkle in his eyes and said, ¡®Well done Tasha, always complete the mission, always.¡¯ She tried to ask him what he meant by that, but never got the chance again. A mudslide in the pass pushed his car over the edge, pushing the vehicle to a fall of 80 meters. The paramedics on the scene says he died instantly. Only later did she find the letters of commendation for his service in the army.Shaking her head at the bittersweet memory she says, ¡®Warrick, get me a copy of the game, install it and let me know when you are done please? I am heading out to meet with a friend.¡¯ Meeting with Attorney ¡®I hope Jenny can help me out of this mess.¡¯ Natasha sighs in hopelessness sitting at a local coffee shop. Jenny (or Jennifer to her enemies) went to the same high school as Natasha, both were on the fast track to promising careers when Natasha fell in love with Julian. Having kept contact over the years a strong friendship developed as Jenny could share her troubles to someone not in her career circle and Natasha could have some adult conversation outside of ¡°what¡¯s for dinner¡± norm. The shop is their regular meeting place for their monthly coffee date. Both picked the place because of the French Cafe theme and the privacy between tables. The tables are all set up in the garden in the back of a guesthouse giving Jenny the privacy she craves outside of the shark infested corporate waters.¡®Hi `Tasha!¡¯ Jenny says coming through the the garden in her black business suit. Feeling hope pooling in her chest Tasha stands and gives her friend an extra tight hug. ¡®What¡¯s wrong Tasha? You look like a train ran you over?¡¯ Jenny says guiding her friend to their usual table under the giant fern. Tearing up at the compassion in Jenny¡¯s voice Tasha blurts out, ¡®Julian cheated on me and we are now separated.¡¯ Jenny gasps, her hands reflexively clenching the table cloth.¡®That rotten bastard! How can I help? Let¡¯s go egg his -¡®Smiling at the immediate bloodthirsty expression of support, Tasha is comforted knowing that she is not alone, the comfort from her friend breaking down the wall of desolation in her mind.¡®No Jenny. I don¡¯t need to give him bullets to fight me for the kids.¡¯ Tasha says quietly. Sitting up straight Jenny almost vibrates on her chair, her eyes narrowing into slivers of cold determination.¡®Tasha, Julian will get your kids over my cold, lifeless body. I am due to do a Pro-bono case so I will handle the divorce for you. That is, if you are going that route?¡¯ Without thinking about it Natasha just nods her head as she replies, ¡®I have to Jenny. He cheated on me and blames me for his behaviour. If he owned up to it I would have been ok to try and pick up the broken pieces. But with him blaming me¡­ I just don¡¯t see any other way.¡¯ Pushing against the table Natasha lets her arms fall to her sides. Matching Jenny¡¯s gaze with resolution, her mind made up.Finding no hesitation or second thoughts in Natasha¡¯s gaze, Jenny takes out a notepad from her handbag. Clicking her pen a couple of times Jenny let¡¯s her pen scritch out a couple of sentences. Leaning forward Natasha can only make out that she is writing down a list of sorts. Sipping her water she feels she is doing the right thing. Julian had his chance. He chose that whore! Above his wife. Natasha grudgingly even concedes that not wanting to be with her is his right in choice, just not his method. But what gets under her skin, breaks her heart and kindles the fire of hate is his careless disregard for his children. The bastard didn¡¯t even pitch up to say goodbye to them before their month long vacation! Taking a deep breath Natasha composes herself. She will not let his actions dictate her emotions. She needs to step up. Later today she needs to start playing Waratar as per the ¡°suggestion¡± from the counselor.Startled by the sharp sound of Jenny tearing out the page from her notepad Natasha coughs to clear the water from her lungs. ¡®Sorry Tasha, I always forget these binder type notepads make a harsh sound when you tear out notes.¡¯ Jenny smiles ruefully. ¡®In any case, here is a to-do list for you. I need all the docs at the bottom for my legal files. The top 2 items are non-negotiable and you need to get it done today, ok?¡¯ Jenny says as she tries to impress the urgency and seriousness of the items by look alone for Natasha. Looking at the bottom items first Natasha sees just the normal stuff, copy of identity document, marriage license etc. What is surprising is the first two items that seem so very important to Jenny. ¡®You want me to sign a Power of Attorney giving this accountant full rights and access to get all my financial matters, accounts etc? I don¡¯t even have anything except the house my Dad left me on my name. And Julian only took out a small loan against the property to settle some old student loans a couple of years back.¡¯ Putting the paper down for a second she almost accuses Jenny of trying to get her financial information for nefarious purposes. Luckily the reality sinks in. Jenny is her friend, and now her attorney as well. She has known her for a long time. She is trustworthy. Repeating the mantra, ¡°She is trustworthy¡± in her mind a couple more times she realises Jenny is talking to her again. ¡®¡­ he will only view the information and gives us a full financial picture of yourself and also as much as he can of Julian, just so we know what we are dealing with, ok¡¯ Nodding her head after repeating her mantra again. ¡®And you want me to see your Estate Specialist for my will and setting up a trust? Why do I need that?¡¯Taking a deep breath Jenny explains, ¡®We need him to make sure that whatever happens after the divorce, Julian does not profit from anything of yours ever again. The trust will indicate how all funds allocated to your kids from your personal estate will be spent etc. Also to make sure your will does not include Julian in any way or form.¡¯ Nodding along Natasha realises these are important items. ¡®Ok Jenny, I¡¯ll call them this afternoon. And thank you.¡¯Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. Character Generation Arriving home Natasha drops her handbag on the kitchen counter. Taking a moment to grab a bottle of water she heads to the basement. Having taken two days to remove any trace of her husband from the room she does not feel as apprehensive. Gone are all the posters, some of them having hidden some posters she would never want her son to even see. Setting down the water on a table next to the pod she lies down. Getting comfortable she attaches the helmet to her head. Making sure her shoulder length hair isn¡¯t getting pulled in any direction she takes a last sip of water before pressing the green button on the remote held in her hand. Her world turns white as she is once again in the personal White Room as she has taken to call it. ¡®Welcome back Tasha. Are you here to start your adventure in Waratar?¡¯ Warrick¡¯s voice comes from the walls. Heading to a floating block behind the plush couch she hesitates.¡®Yes, I think I am Warrick.¡¯ Tasha says placing her hand on the floating box.Her hand gets sucked in as the box expands in size taking over her vision. Closing her eyes as vertigo takes hold Tasha opens her eyes by a voice that shouts, ¡®Stand up straight Recruit! What is your name?!¡¯ In front of her is one of the shortest, angriest men she has ever seen. He scowls at her while pointing to the floating keyboard in front of her waist. Quickly typing in ¡°Tasha¡± she sees the angry little man turning around. Tasha is what her Dad and her friends call her. This is a new lifestyle. She will be damned if the doting housewife that is Natasha, at least in her mind, will be the name of her avatar. No more. This might be forced upon her but she will be the best, her kids need her.Pressing the Enter key, the system accepts the name is her final choice. Taking a parade rest owns the angry little man looks over Tasha. He seems entirely unimpressed, judging by the end of a smirk on his face. It has been many years since Tasha felt this touched by an individual, even if the individual is a computer program.¡±Now that I know that your name isn¡¯t pipsqueak, loser, ass wipe or any of the other colorful names that you look like to me it is time to look for your speciality. Please choose one of the options on the screen in front of you, if you need more information don¡¯t ask me. I am not here to help you just need to get your sorry asses to the warfront. There is a little blue eye in the circle, you can tap that if you need an answer.¡±Looking over the various specialities in front of her, the show sees it is broken up into three separate main fields. The choices are: Combat, Support, Mechanized. Hovering of each field brings up a long list of other specialities in that specific field. Tasha Already knows what you once to do. She already knows how to shoot a gun and combat seems to be the natural choice for her.Looking over the various specialities the show is confused. She isn¡¯t sure if she should choose the long-range assault type, basically a sniper. Or maybe she must draw the drive for a close-in specialist. Delving further into the specifics of each clause she sees it makes no difference in terms of the statistics or compatibility. Rather, the under different seems to be in the uniform. The siding that the close in specialist seems to be one is got the coolest looking uniform that be the most flattering to her figure she makes a selection by tapping and holding on the Close ¨C in Specialist.¡°Well then, make it. Since you have finally chosen a name for yourself and what you want to be in mommy, it might be time for me to introduce myself. My name is Training Officer Barcas. I have the misfortune of taking you through your training officer which I can release you to assist us in our war effort.¡± The door to her right materializes and training Ofc. Barcas walks towards it stopping just before entering the door turns around and says ¡°well, what are you waiting for? Assigned invitation delivered by the Queen?¡± As he steps through the door. Looking down ¨C I see she has been dressed in the uniform Shirley is selected. The uniform seems to be something between a spandex suit, and a regular Army loadout. She has pockets and places for slings all over the place.The only downside seems to be the boots that she has to wear. No woman has ever looked as on beautiful as a self for these big clunky boots. Taking a deep breath Tasha walks to the door and steps through.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.